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The mother of the youngest complainant wept on the stand after being presented with a note written by her son alleging ‘something happened’ at Alan Jones’s property at Fitzroy Falls. As the prosecution questioned the mother, she told the court she had ‘trusted’ Jones with her then teenage son. She was also asked why she stayed in contact with the broadcaster after her son told her about the alleged indecent assault. Guardian Australia’s media correspondent, Amanda Meade, joins host Nour Haydar to unpack an emotional week in the courtroom Mother of alleged Alan Jones victim ‘absolutely trusted’ the radio host, court told

One year ago, Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister, taking over a party in crisis. Since then, she’s defied the doubters, not just surviving as leader in a country that struggles with its gender politics – but winning convincingly at an election in February. She has faced President Trump, fraught relations with China over Taiwan and was even the subject of one of Anthony Albanese’s biggest controversies this year. But could Japan’s prime minister be at her most politically dangerous moment yet? Tokyo correspondent Justin McCurry speaks to Reged Ahmad about whether Takaichi can ride out what comes next

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s US politics podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Yerushalmy and Reged Ahmad look at how Katie Zacharia broke the record for shortest tenure as White House press secretary. They then examine the pattern of how women in the Trump administration are treated when they’re perceived to have made mistakes – versus how men seem to survive their missteps. They also look at how the US might be changing course on Russia’s war on Ukraine. Are relations between Donald Trump and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy at their lowest point ever? And what happens if the US decides to take Vladimir Putin’s side in the war?

The bestselling author says her novels will no longer be supplied to British bookshops due to fears of prosecution. Zoe Williams and Haroon Siddique report

Helen Haines, the independent federal MP for the Victorian seat of Indi, is in a critical condition and has lost a leg after an alleged attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday the alleged attacker and driver of the car was named by police as 43-year-old Brendan Nugent. A major investigation is under way into the incident, with Victoria police, the Australian federal police, Asio and counter-terrorism investigators involved. Guardian Australian political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to Matilda Boseley about what happened and why this alleged attack on an independent MP is a watershed moment in Australian politics and political debate

The Greens senator for Western Australia, Jordon Steele-John, has blamed ‘nasty political games’ for the timing of allegations of misconduct towards women spanning nearly a decade. Steele-John has denied all allegations, but the scandal – and its subsequent handling – is fast becoming a test for the Greens’ leader, David Shoebridge, just three weeks into his new role. Political reporter Sarah Basford Canales speaks to Reged Ahmad about whether this is the Greens’ biggest political scandal, and whether the party’s factions are driving it

Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor on their new film interviewing Israeli military insiders on the vast, AI-assisted systems their sources say are being used to kill civilians in Gaza. They also talk about the political backlash against their documentary

From his remote property in rural Texas, the millionaire businessman Michael Samadi is plotting a new kind of civil rights movement – for the welfare and protection of AI systems. Guardian journalist Michael Safi spends an afternoon at the Double Six ranch, meeting Samadi’s AI chatbots and catching a glimpse of a possible vision of the future

Tony Barry and Niki Savva (filling in for Barrie Cassidy) examine the ‘festival of Josh’ that played out in the media this week as the former treasurer spruiked his new memoir. The two former Liberal party advisers weigh in on whether Josh Frydenberg should run again for Kooyong and whether he can live his dream of one day becoming PM. They also discuss what they see as the Labor government’s failure to sell an economic vision during a cost-of-living crisis

Former comedian Russell Brand is on trial facing multiple charges of rape and sexual assault against six women, spanning a decade from 1999 to 2009. On Thursday the court heard evidence from a woman who alleged Brand told her “it’s just fun” as he raped her at the 1999 Labour party conference. He denies all the allegations against him. Lucy Hough speaks to senior national news editor Aaron Sharp

After the youngest complainant began giving evidence, Judge Glenn Walsh placed a non-publication order on much of this week’s testimony. In this episode, Guardian Australia media correspondent Amanda Meade and host Nour Haydar answer your questions about the Alan Jones trial. They unpack why court reporters have to withhold certain details about complainants, and discuss the challenges of a high-profile trial being held in a local court. Finally, they tackle the question they are asked the most: will Alan Jones himself take the stand?

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s US politics podcast, co-hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy take a special look at the midterms which are coming up in early November. All 435 House seats are up in this election as representatives only serve fixed two-year terms. In the Senate, 35 of 100 seats are up for grabs too as senators serve six-year terms. There are many predictions of a blue wave -– a big win for the Democratic party who are tipped to take back the House and Senate. But are pollsters being too optimistic? What are the factors that could instead allow the Republican party and the Trump administration to hold on to power in Congress? They also look at why US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle has been ousted from her job – and whether criticism of new White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is fair

It was supposed to be an Australian business success story. Just over a week ago local AI company Firmus was preparing to hit the market with a value that would put the startup in the same league as Woolworths. But last Friday, everything fell apart. At the centre was Firmus co-founder Oliver Curtis, an entrepreneur trying to rebuild his reputation after spending time in prison for insider trading. Curtis said the collapse was down to Australia’s ‘mantra of disbelief around entrepreneurs’. Business editor Jonathan Barrett speaks to Matilda Boseley about the hubris of the firm’s founders and what this says about the future of the AI investment bubble

Are we really living through ‘end times fascism’? The authors Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor think so. In a new series from the Guardian, the pair speak to Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty in an extended interview. From Trump 2.0 and the rise of the tech billionaire to Gaza and the ongoing climate emergency, Klein and Taylor argue we are not just lurching from crisis to crisis, but are in a new and dangerous moment in history. However, they have not given up hope of a fightback. Radical Thinking will be published every Saturday in the Guardian UK’s Politics Weekly feed

It has been nearly 100 years since the last public execution in the US but, on 3 December this year, that could change. The US secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, said last week that the execution of Nidal Hasan, the man who killed 13 people at Fort Hood, will be a public event – a claim that was later confirmed by a defence department official. On Saturday, the US president, Donald Trump, said he had yet to decide whether to let the livestream go ahead. Washington bureau chief David Smith tells Reged Ahmad why the US secretary of war wants the world to see a death by firing squad

Using evidence from family and friends, analysis of cemetery registries, and aerial and satellite imagery, a special investigation by Guardian Australia has found that ‘persons without means’ are being buried in bare patches of earth between walkways and old headstones in Sydney’s Rookwood cemetery. The vast majority of the graves do not have a plaque or tombstone. The investigation has prompted an immediate apology from NSW Health, which oversees the process, while the state health minister, Ryan Park, has signalled that he wants to end the use of unmarked communal graves. Chief investigations correspondent Christopher Knaus and investigations reporter Ariel Bogle speak with Reged Ahmad about their Guardian investigation into unmarked graves and the families left devastated by the discovery of where their loved ones have been laid to rest

Five stories that feel like five answers to one important question: in a world where AI chatbots can help us through a breakup, listen like a friend, be a life coach, draft a difficult text message and do our work, where do we draw the line?

Tony Barry and Jessie McCrone examine the latest Redbridge poll (‘the poll that stops the nation’) that shows a slump in support for the prime minister and weaker support for Labor. How would Jessie – a former senior Labor advisor – counsel Anthony Albanese, and what does she think could improve Labor’s chances against Pauline Hanson’s One Nation? The two former sparring partners also look at next month’s Victorian election and what it could mean for the major parties at a federal level. Email the show: backtobackbarries@theguardian.com Read more: Constitutional expert labels Albanese government’s golf club grant ‘grey corruption’ One Nation celebrated stunning success in Queensland in 1998 – then it all fell apart. What happened?

The fifth and final complainant has taken the stand to detail his allegations against Alan Jones. He is also the youngest of the alleged victims, telling the court he accepted an invitation to visit the former broadcaster’s rural home when he was 17. Guardian Australia media correspondent Amanda Meade joins host Nour Haydar to unpack the latest developments from the courtroom

Angelique Chrisafis on the pupils and students who are taking to the streets and closing down schools in France

With a pledge to slash net overseas migration to just 100,000 people, with incremental increases in the years following, the Coalition has promised history-making immigration cuts as a solution to the housing crisis. But behind the steep figures is a strategy of luring voters from One Nation by out-doing their centrepiece policies. Political editor Tom McIlroy joins Matilda Boseley to discuss whether being more extreme than One Nation is a vote-winner, and why the most vulnerable will be hit hardest by the plan

A warning for this episode - it covers details of a murder and an execution that some might find distressing. In this episode of Guardian Australia’s US politics podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Yerushalmy and Reged Ahmad examine what happened when the state of Tennessee tried to execute prisoner Christa Pike. They also look at the controversy over taxpayer-funded ads promoting US president Donald Trump, midterm AI attack ads and the Elon Musk-Trump bromance appears to be back on.

As technology companies push to expand AI infrastructure across Australia, residents from suburban Melbourne to regional Queensland are raising concerns over noise, power demands and local impacts. Could growing community opposition slow down plans for a nationwide infrastructure boom? Technology reporter Josh Taylor joins Reged Ahmad to unpack why Australians are becoming so uneasy about datacentres – and whether government regulation can address their fears

When a civil lawsuit brought horrific details of an alleged gang rape at a Cornell fraternity to light, international outrage followed. Questions remain over how initial reports were handled and why systemic issues continue to surface at elite institutions. Reged Ahmad speaks to Guardian US reporter Richard Luscombe to unpack the fallout at Cornell and examine whether this case will spark real change across American college campuses.

One Nation was the first Australian political party with a website, and its online game today is recognised as some of the most effective in the business. The party specialises in shareable anti-immigration messaging – and in bypassing traditional media to reach voters directly. ‘She tells it like it is,’ Pauline Hanson’s supporters say. But her tactics come straight from the populist right playbook: harvesting fear and grievance for political power. In the final episode of The Populist, Sarah Martin traces Hanson’s journey from her beginnings as Australia’s first ‘cyber politician’ to her leading role in the rightwing nativist movement that is sweeping the globe

More than a billion people are suddenly talking to AI chatbots designed to connect with us. We are sharing with them our deepest secrets, trusting them with our wellbeing and acting on their advice. Across two powerful stories – a woman who was struggling to leave a relationship and a man who was desperate to quit drinking – the Guardian journalist Michael Safi explores what this new way of living looks like

Barrie Cassidy and Sean Kelly (filling in for Tony Barry) discuss the Greens leadership change this week. Senator David Shoebridge defeated two women to take out the top job in a rare contested ballot. So what direction will he take the progressive party and can they ‘replace’ Labor as he claims? Also in this episode: what did the prime minister say at George Megalogenis’ Melbourne book launch that surprised both of these former political advisers? And as we draw ever nearer to the Victorian election, what do the polls reveal about how it could all play out?

With a sharp, aggressive strategy, the Australian Greens’ newly elected leader vows to take on corporate power and bring a ‘red-hot fight’ to coal and gas approvals. But following a turbulent week and internal party room fractures, can Senator David Shoebridge and his polarising approach rally progressive voters without deepening splits? Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, speaks with the new Greens party leader about taking on One Nation, pushing back on Aukus, and his vision for the party’s future.

A commercial flight travelling from Dubai to Israel was forced to make an emergency landing after an apparent brawl between its pilots. The flight was in Jordanian airspace when it diverted to Saudi Arabia, after the plane fell 16,000ft in two minutes during the incident. Authorities are investigating a number of lines of inquiry including a hijacking attempt or a mental health incident. Lucy Hough speaks to Middle East correspondent Will Christou

Georgie Dent’s National Press Club address recently went viral after laying bare the compounding pressures on modern families. Between soaring costs of living, rigid workplace expectations and an eye-watering gap between school days and work hours, is the current system setting parents up to fail? Reged Ahmad speaks with CEO of advocacy group The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, to unpack why raising children has become an impossible mathematical equation and how policy reform can fix it

More than two years after Jesse Baird and Luke Davies were killed in a Sydney home, former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon has gone on trial in the supreme court. Lamarre-Condon, who stands accused of the double murder, has pleaded not guilty. In the opening weeks the court has heard allegations, viewed security footage and witnessed emotional testimonies from friends of the young couple. Matilda Boseley speaks to Guardian reporter Kat Wong to unpack the evidence before the jury

With inflation proving stubborn and global economic pressures mounting, Australians are bracing for another potential interest rate rise. Could pushing the cash rate to its highest level since 2011 send struggling households over the edge? Guardian Australia economics editor Patrick Commins joins Reged Ahmad to unpack what’s driving the decision and what it means for the broader economic outlook

One Nation receives millions in public funding, but former members have accused the party of leaving candidates out of pocket, ‘funny money deals’ and letting donations get ‘lost in the system’. When senior correspondent Sarah Martin followed the money, she discovered even those on the inside are asking questions about accountability, and why some are saying the man brought in to improve the system might be making it worse

Barrie Cassidy and Sean Kelly (filling in for Tony Barry) look at the prime minister’s week in the US against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s ban of three news organisations from the White House. Would the Australian media ever join together like their American counterparts and boycott a political party or politician? The two former press advisers also examine press conference ethics and why Australian politicians should be wary of using AI to write their speeches

A government database has been hacked for the first time by a rogue OpenAI agent, which infiltrated part of the Australian healthcare scheme in June. OpenAI became aware of the hack in August, but only informed the government in September. Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has expressed his ‘extreme concern’ about the hack, which raises serious AI security concerns for governments around the world. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s UK technology editor Robert Booth

As the criminal trial of Alan Jones continues, prosecutors unexpectedly drop a charge against the former broadcaster while witnesses take the stand to address allegations surrounding complainant M and complainant H. Now, with a sudden shift in the trial timeline, how much closer are we to the conclusion of proceedings? Series producer Taylah Strano joins host Nour Haydar to unpack the latest developments from the courtroom

AI, Iran and Taiwan – there will be no shortage of topics when the two most powerful men in the world meet in Washington. But what do they both want? Jonathan Czin explains

Anthony Albanese is in New York campaigning for Australia to snag a seat on the UN security council for 2029. So how much power would a two-year seat actually give Australia to make change? Why does Albanese feel that now is the time? And given the hefty price tag attached to a security council campaign, how will his efforts be received back home? Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to Matilda Boseley about the prime minister’s UN ambitions and what Australia has to gain if his bid for a seat on the security council succeeds

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s weekly US politics podcast, co-hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy dive into what’s driving Donald Trump’s ban on journalists from CNN, MS Now and Politico - and the significance of the response from major TV networks. They also cover the US president at the UNGA and why Trump’s decision making on international conflicts could be explained by the price of diesel. Plus - could daylight savings become permanent in the US.

On Monday, Jim Chalmers released Treasury’s economic forecast for the next 40 years in the Albanese government’s second intergenerational report. The outlook predicts major challenges on geopolitics, the AI transformation, and for the first time, deaths will overtake births in Australia within a few decades. The treasurer speaks with Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, and economics editor, Patrick Commins, about why he’s optimistic Labor’s policy agenda is preparing the country for an unpredictable future

The Houthis now control the Bab al-Mandab strait. But where is it and why does it matter? Patrick Wintour explains

The Albanese government is considering giving AI companies unrestricted access to Australian content. The sweeping copyright reforms could give AI companies – such as Anthropic and Open AI – permission to train on the open internet here in Australia. Host Reged Ahmad speaks to musician and communications strategist Holly Rankin on what an AI deal could mean for creators, artists and everyday Australians Holly Rankin is an artist professionally known as Jack River and the executive director of Sentiment Group, a government affairs and strategic communications firm

Most Australians know the story of Pauline Hanson: the fish and chip shop, the maiden speech, the “please explain”. But Hanson’s top adviser, James Ashby, wields as much – if not more – power over One Nation as Hanson herself. When the party bars media from press conferences, it’s Ashby who makes the call. To understand how One Nation operates, it’s important to understand Ashby’s story, from his beginnings as a PR flack, through a massive parliamentary scandal, to his ascent to political power as One Nation’s popularity soars

Why are AI chatbots pulling so many people down a rabbit hole? Our answer starts with the world’s first-ever chatbot, the strange effect it had on people and the ‘time bomb’ that exploded when ChatGPT was released four years ago. The result is a strange experiment we are all living through – whether we know it or not. You can find episodes one and two further back in the Full Story feed.

Barrie Cassidy and Jessie McCrone, a former adviser to the former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and now managing partner for FMRS Advisory, examine the migration reforms as announced by the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, this week. Is One Nation controlling the narrative on this issue, and how will the Coalition respond? They also look at the Guardian’s new investigative podcast series The Populist; plus, with just two months to go until the Victorian election, what does Jessie think about the state of play and Labor’s chances at the ballot box? Jessie is filling in for Tony Barry this week Amid claims of ‘mass migration’, Labor hopes a measured approach will take the hot air out of the debate

Home affairs minister Tony Burke delivered a speech at the National Press Club on Thursday, announcing immigration reforms to achieve Labor’s forecasts for net overseas migration. After being postponed at short notice six weeks ago, Burke’s speech comes in the same week that One Nation announced its policy to significantly cut the number of temporary migrants in Australia. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to Burke about why the government is making the changes, the limitations that come from not successfully securing Coalition support, and why new migrants aren’t to blame for the housing crisis

For the first time, seven weeks into the criminal trial of Alan Jones, a complainant came face-to-face with his alleged offender in the courtroom. The former athlete, known as complainant M, was the third of six complainants and chose to give evidence in the same room as Jones. The courtroom – and the journalists squeezed into a separate room in the court – heard allegations against Jones that he twice kissed the prominent athlete without consent

All four supporting acts for the upcoming dates of Ed Sheeran’s tour have withdrawn in solidarity with fellow opener Macklemore. The American rapper was removed from Sheeran’s tour after comments made onstage in support of Palestine. Sheeran responded that venue owners – including Robert Kraft who owns the New England Patriots and its home stadium – had objected to Macklemore’s appearance on the tour. But after he had tried to negotiate with the venue owners ‘at length to build bridges’, ultimately the promoters made the decision to pull the plug. Artists who have pulled out include Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Beoga. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian assistant opinion editor Jason Okundaye Read more: All supporting acts withdraw from Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore

Indonesia is in the middle of a climate emergency, experiencing what Nasa calls the ‘apex predator’ of wildfires. It’s burning an area three times the size of Singapore and choking millions across south-east Asia with toxic haze. But while Europe’s catastrophic summer made headlines in Australia, the climate emergency happening to one of our closest neighbours is less well known. Kate Lamb joins Matilda Boseley to talk about just how consequential these fires could become

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s weekly US politics podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Yerushalmy and Reged Ahmad look at whether there is any appetite across the political spectrum to put guardrails on artificial intelligence as around the world existential fears mount that the technology is developing too quickly. They also explain what the latest supreme court ruling on the Trump administration’s mail-in ballot restrictions means for the midterms. And they look at what happened when the US president waded into the Irish reunification debate

As One Nation squeezes the Liberal vote, Andrew Hastie’s clash with Pauline Hanson over a video calling him a traitor has exposed deep faultlines across Australia’s political right. So is the MP becoming the face of the Liberal party fightback against One Nation? And what does this battle mean for the former SAS captain’s political ambitions? Reged Ahmad and Guardian Australia’s political editor Tom McIlroy discuss whether Hastie is building a platform to challenge Angus Taylor for the Liberal leadership

A series of figures in the tech world have been warning about – and even resigning over – the existential threat posed by artificial intelligence. How worried should we be? Today in Focus host Annie Kelly speaks with technology editor Robert Booth

This Independent Commission Against Corruption has spent eight weeks investigating allegations of Liberal party branch stacking and illegal donations in New South Wales, with hearings revealing an ideological political war rarely seen outside meeting rooms or private conversations. Guardian Australia’s Anne Davies has been following the inquiry, joining a packed public gallery to watch a ‘parade’ of conservative young Liberal party figures who find themselves under the ‘scalpel-like’ questioning of Icac barrister Peggy Dwyer. With the investigation set to finish this week, Reged Ahmad speaks to Davies about what she describes as ‘the best show in town’

‘If you’re trying to say I’m being funded by Gina Rinehart, the answer is no.’ That’s what the One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, told the Guardian’s senior correspondent Sarah Martin in February. We now know that’s not true. Over months, Martin has pieced together flight-tracking data and expense records to uncover the true extent of financial support flowing from Australia’s richest person to the country’s fastest growing political force. Episode one of The Populist tells the inside story, from the Farrer byelection to the National Press Club, including exclusive new reporting

Around the globe, rightwing politicians pushing nationalist and anti-immigration policies are on the rise. The Populist explores the growing appeal of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation – a party that has imported the modus operandi of the populist right, including Trump-style attacks on the media. Investigations correspondent Sarah Martin speaks to Reged Ahmad about the new four-part podcast series launching tomorrow

Virginia man Jon Ganz was rebuilding his life after spending more than two decades in prison for a horrific crime. Last year, he got a prompt on his phone that his wife, Rachel, believes changed their lives forever. It was from Google, inviting him to try the company’s AI chatbot, Gemini

Barrie Cassidy and Sean Kelly (filling in for Tony Barry this week) go straight to Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie’s stoush with Pauline Hanson over an animated cartoon. Is Hastie one of the few politicians willing to take on the One Nation leader? And could this be the beginning of the Liberal party fighting back? Staying with One Nation: what does the coverage of Warren Pickering’s press conference this week say about how the media – and the public – treats political leaders differently? And the prime minister continues to come under scrutiny over grants awarded to a golf club in his electorate Hastie accepts apology from Joyce over ‘traitor’ cartoon as Hanson doubles down and tells critics to ‘chill’

After a slow start to the week, the criminal trial of Alan Jones accelerated with a swift succession of witnesses taking the stand. Through a former politician, close friends and loyal associates, the court heard details of alleged indecent touching, scornful text messages and declarations of an ‘unbreakable bond’ with Jones.Nour Haydar speaks to media correspondent Amanda Meade to unpack the cross-examinations, key testimonies and courtroom revelations

One Nation’s proposal to allow people to access 3% of their super contributions for three years is touted as a lifeline for lower-income earners who are struggling to get by. But with no modelling by the party to show the long-term effects, are we better off with our money in super or in our pockets? Economist and Guardian columnist Greg Jericho speaks to Matilda Boseley about One Nation’s ‘sugar hit’ policy – and the superannuation reform that could actually ease the cost-of-living crisis

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s weekly US politics podcast, co-hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy look across the water to Germany, where the rightwing political party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has had a landslide state election win. As some commentators draw parallels to the Maga movement, they examine how Donald Trump is influencing global leaders and movements. Also in this episode: why are White House staffers being subjected to polygraph tests? And George Clooney criticises the US administration in Venice

Rates of smoking in Australia are the lowest they’ve ever been, but at the same time, the illicit trade has never been bigger. It’s estimated 80% of the tobacco trade is now illicit and the same taxes that helped curb smoking are now fuelling organised crime. One Nation and the Coalition both believe cutting the tobacco excise is the only way to stop crime. But with the potential for reform on the table, Matilda Boseley speaks to senior reporter Henry Belot about why the tobacco lobby are keen to influence debate

As the federal government prepares to introduce digital duty of care laws, social media users could soon be given the option to turn off their recommendation algorithms entirely. But with the Coalition warning of internet censorship and big tech relying on these feeds for revenue, would an opt-out switch actually make platforms safer? Technology reporter Josh Taylor joins Reged Ahmad to unpack Labor’s proposed crackdown on social media algorithms

Dotted like an outline around parts of Australia’s coast are military bases – the majority of which the US has control of or access to. Now a special Guardian investigation reveals the breadth of Donald Trump’s US military presence in the country, to a scale that the Australian public might not be aware of. Some analysts are warning it represents a ‘saturation’ or ‘colonisation’ of the Australian continent. Senior reporter Ben Doherty speaks to Reged Ahmad about whether America’s strong military presence in Australia could drag us unwillingly into war

Across the world, hundreds of people have come to believe they have made extraordinary scientific discoveries with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Others say their AI has ‘awakened’, or is leading them to a higher spiritual realm. Guardian journalist Michael Safi begins investigating a phenomenon labelled ‘AI psychosis’, travelling to the US to meet two people who have been on weird journeys with their chatbots

Barrie Cassidy and George Megalogenis (filling in for Tony this week) examine George’s new book, Three Shocks: Who We are Becoming in the 21st Century, and how these forces are reshaping our national identity and Australian politics. They also look at the politics of the housing market and Barrie responds to a listener who questions his analysis of One Nation’s inability to get over the “wall” around the cities Best Australian books out in September House prices could fall 10%, analysts predict, as fourth interest rate hike looms

As talkback titan Ray Hadley took the witness box in Alan Jones’s indecent assault and sexual touching trial, the court heard accounts of a tearful disclosure, a secret contract and decades of professional animosity. Under cross-examination, explosive text messages laid bare the full extent of the station’s high-stakes internal power struggle. Host Nour Haydar and Guardian media correspondent Amanda Meade are back to take you through week five of the trial of Alan Jones

The death of a 16-year-old in Sydney’s northern beaches from a suspected act of sexual strangulation has put a spotlight on the dangerous trend – a trend that more than half of people under 40 say they’ve tried. The case raises difficult questions about young people and risky sex, consent, and the responsibility of the porn industry. Today, Matilda Boseley speaks to global editor Lucy Clark and lifestyle editor Alyx Gorman about why so many people wrongly believe sexual choking is ‘safe’, and the education and regulation that can combat it

Thirty years after Tupac Shakur’s death, a man has been found guilty of killing the hip-hop legend. Helen Pidd talks to William Shaw and Jessica Hill about the conclusion to Tupac’s murder trial, and the star’s life, legacy and untimely death

Nearly a week after a catastrophic glacier collapse struck the Nepal-China border, the death toll continues to rise as emergency teams search through heavy mud and submerged hydro tunnels. With thousands still unaccounted for, including dozens of Australian travellers, international rescue operations are racing against time. Guardian reporter Cait Kelly speaks to Rafqa Touma from Kathmandu about the devastation on the ground, the search for survivors and what happens next

One Nation has claimed victory in the Western Australian seat of Secret Harbour, delivering a massive blow to a safe Labor stronghold. With voter frustration over cost-of-living issues boiling over, what does this mean for the major parties heading into the next elections? Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, joins Reged Ahmad to unpack One Nation’s rise and how Labor is struggling to respond

When Jackson Pollock painted Blue Poles, his masterpiece of American abstract expressionism, little did he know it would become one of Australia’s most fascinating political controversies. The piece ensnared everyone from Gough Whitlam to the shah of Iran, only to end up in Canberra’s National Gallery as a symbol of our nation’s burgeoning modernity. With the news that Blue Poles is relocating from Canberra to Perth, Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, speaks to Rafqa Touma about the colliding worlds of art and politics featured in his book, Blue Poles: Jackson Pollock, Gough Whitlam and the painting that changed a nation

Tony Barry and Sean Kelly, sitting in for Barrie Cassidy, examine the politics of immigration and asylum after contradictory policy statements this week from Labor and One Nation. They discuss how much Labor is being led by One Nation and whether the government is doing enough to make the case for migration. They also talk about the concessions made by the Albanese government to the states on GST and renewable energy for datacentres, as well as the bumpy economic road ahead for Labor, with new inflation numbers suggesting possible interest rates hikes in the future Albanese vows refugee intake won’t be slashed, shutting down plans of Coalition-level cut Analysis: One Nation’s immigration policy is clear as mud – but that ambiguity could be a secret weapon for Pauline Hanson

Hundreds of people are missing or have been killed after a catastrophic flash flood hit Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday. Entire villages have been destroyed, many of which were popular pilgrimage and trekking destinations for tourists. Lucy Hough talks to global editor Devika Bhat about how the devastating event unfolded

Week four of the Alan Jones trial zeroed in on a single afternoon 20 years ago, to a luncheon hosted by the veteran broadcaster. A man referred to in court as Complainant C alleges he was indecently assaulted in the presence of other guests, an allegation Jones denies. So what have witnesses recalled from that afternoon two decades ago and why has one high profile lunch guest been accused of ‘tailoring’ his evidence? Nour Haydar speaks to Guardian Australia’s media correspondent, Amanda Meade, to unpack a week of courtroom exchanges, revealing text messages, and an unusual turn by the prosecution.

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s US politics podcast Decoding America, co-hosts Jonathan Yerushalmy and Reged Ahmad explore why datacentres in the US have provoked such anger – and whether that could harm Republicans in the midterms given Donald Trump is such a supporter of the growing industry. They also look at why the US and Canada are fighting over tariffs. The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, is pushing back and both countries could be on the cusp of a full-blown trade war. Finally: why does the Trump administration’s secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, have his very own YouTube show – and is he the only one?

Following a sexual assault allegation linked to the Sydney Swans, the AFL community’s response quickly shifted to premiership points and player suspensions. But for many fans, the real issue isn’t on-field fallout, it’s how the football industry responds when allegations of violence against women emerge. Host Matilda Bosley is joined by sports writer and editor Martin Pegan to unpack why, and how, the conversation needs to change.

More than two years ago, Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was killed by the Israel Defense Forces while travelling in a convoy with humanitarian organisation World Central Kitchen. Israel’s decision on Wednesday to clear its soldiers of criminal liability has sparked widespread condemnation, from Frankcom’s family to the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, who called the move an “outrage”. Now, as calls grow for accountability, an apology and potential reparations, political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to Reged Ahmad about a new low in Australia and Israel’s relations You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

Natalie Harp is Donald Trump’s most devoted aide: she travels the world with him, types his Truth Social posts, and even pens the US president ‘adoring’ letters. But reports that Harp had no official security clearance for a year has raised questions about the people Trump allows into his inner circle. So just who is Natalie Harp? The Guardian’s Washington bureau chief David Smith speaks to Reged Ahmad about Harp’s journey from cancer survivor to Trump supporter – and how one Democrat senator put her in the global spotlight

This week, the Albanese government passed major reforms to online gambling advertising and deep cuts to rein in NDIS spending – all with the Coalition’s support. David Pocock has long been a vocal critic of the government’s approach to both of these issues, saying Labor and the opposition have failed to stand up to vested interests on gambling reforms. And while he agrees NDIS cuts are needed, he says major parties have ignored expert evidence on the value of community participation and are handing over important decisions to algorithms with little scrutiny. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to the independent senator about what he thinks this notable week of deal-making means for the nation’s political future – while both major parties continue to be spooked by One Nation’s rise

Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry examine the two deals made this week between the Coalition and Labor on gambling advertising and the NDIS. They also look ahead to the upcoming byelection in the Western Australian electorate of Secret Harbour, which sits within Andrew Hastie’s electorate. Could One Nation again emerge victorious? If so, what threat would that pose to the federal Liberal MP’s political fortunes? And after the break the Barries take a question from Neil in Bendigo, a super fan of the show, about when Albanese is likely to go and who could take the leadership

In the third week of the trial of former talkback radio star Alan Jones, a complainant took to the witness box to recount his time working at 2GB. Complainant C detailed allegations of indecent assault, a power dynamic, and why he felt he had to ‘cop it’. The defence has argued Jones never indecently assaulted the complainant. Nour Haydar is joined by media correspondent Amanda Meade to unpack the evidence and intense cross-examination

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s US politics podcast, co-hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy look at what the reported food shortages and mental health crisis on the USS Lincoln say about whether the US military is stretched too thin as the war on Iran drags on. They also look at Donald Trump’s vaccine executive order and why experts are fearful it could spread vaccine hesitancy to Australia. Finally, what’s the update on Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s long-running bromance?

New South Wales will become the first state to undertake Australia’s biggest gun buyback in 30 years in a jointly funded scheme in response to the Bondi beach terror attack. The move has been welcomed by many, but has also been met with opposition from the Coalition and One Nation who say it unfairly targets law-abiding gun owners. Rafqa Touma speaks to reporter Penry Buckley about whether the buyback will work and why the scheme has angered so many

Christopher Berry-Dee has been a pioneer of the true crime genre for years. The UK’s all-time bestselling true crime author is a self-proclaimed expert in serial killers, persuading them to give interviews and laying out their crimes in extensive detail. ‘Persuasive,’ says Sirin Kale after speaking to many who know him, ‘that’s a word that comes up a lot.’ However, after an investigation with fellow investigations correspondent Lucy Osborne, Sirin tells Annie Kelly about a much darker side to Berry-Dee, who has been accused by multiple women of violence, rape and sexual assault. Berry-Dee denies the allegations

With just months to go before New Zealand voters head to the polls, the prime minister, Christopher Luxon, has survived his second leadership spill in just four months. As flagging poll numbers, a sluggish economy and high-profile gaffes build pressure on Luxon, can the embattled leader retain his grip on power through November? The Guardian’s New Zealand correspondent Eva Corlett joins Reged Ahmad to look inside NZ politics and whether the PM can make it to election day

From immigration to inflation, housing sits at the heart of most political debates. But political parties are struggling to come up with a coherent message – and no one has a clear plan to fix the crisis. The Liberal senator and shadow housing minister, Andrew Bragg, last week said his plan to cut immigration is the solution – but so far he’s fuzzy on the details. And the government wants house prices to fall but doesn’t seem to want to take credit for it when they do. Reged Ahmad speaks to economist Saul Eslake on what really works and why politicians can’t seem to fix one of the biggest problems facing us all

Federal parliament has returned from winter break with a frenetic start to the second half of the political year. There were days of commentary and squirming over ‘melon-gate’ and, with Labor planning to make a deal with the Coalition to pass gambling reforms, there are still doubts about the government’s ambition in its second term. In an ‘ask me anything’ edition of the Australian Politics podcast, Tom McIlroy, Krishani Dhanji, Josh Butler and Sarah Basford Canales from Guardian Australia’s Canberra bureau answer questions from listeners and readers

Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry look at Liberal senator Andrew Bragg’s speech this week in which he outlined his plan to solve the housing crisis – a plan that doesn’t have the support of his own party. The Barries also discuss the ‘melon-gate’ controversy, with Tony asking if a conservative politician would be subjected to more or less outrage if they had done the same thing. Also in this episode, the deal on gambling between Labor and the Coalition

As week two of the criminal trial against Alan Jones draws to a close, intense cross-examination of the first complainant, known as J, comes to an end. After testimony from J’s witnesses, inconsistencies in timelines about the alleged offending 20 years ago threatened to delay proceedings. Guardian Australia media correspondent Amanda Meade joins Nour Haydar to unpack the latest evidence and courtroom roadblocks

After allegations that some betting companies provided gamblers with drugs and sex workers as enticements to keep wagering, pressure to act on gambling reform has mounted from all sides. And this week it seems Anthony Albanese is edging closer to a deal with the Coalition to pass new restrictions on advertising and inducements. But with backbenchers and advocates calling for stronger measures than those now on the table, will the prime minister go harder? Rafqa Touma speaks to the political editor, Tom McIlroy, about the negotiations between Albanese and Angus Taylor on the issue and whether the deal they reach will do what is needed to help those struggling with gambling addiction

When the University of Cambridge appoints a new professor, it doesn’t usually make global headlines. But Jason Arday was different. He was just 37 in 2023 when he became Cambridge’s youngest black professor, specialising in the sociology of race and education. The achievement seemed all the more remarkable because of his incredible backstory. Yet almost as soon as he began his professorship at Cambridge’s Jesus College, the whispers began. Initially, the focus was on his academic scholarship. But, the Guardian’s arts and culture correspondent Lanre Bakare tells Helen Pidd, the allegations snowballed, and soon every aspect of his life story was put under the microscope. Last week, he resigned. But how did this happen? And what does this tell us about how black scholars are treated by academia and the media?

For the past three years, we’ve known him only as a ‘high-profile businessman’, accused and then convicted of raping a woman in his home. Until last week, when the court order suppressing his name was lifted and he was revealed to be Ralph Carr, one of Australian music’s heavyweights, a man who helped bring us the biggest pop stars of the 90s. Names like Kate Ceberano, Vanessa Amorosi and Tina Arena – his ex-wife. Guardian Australia can reveal that dozens of other women who worked for Ralph Carr Management accused him of verbally abusive and intimidating behaviour dating back to the 1990s. Some accuse him of sexual harassment. He denies the claims and maintains his innocence regarding his rape conviction. Reged Ahmad speaks to culture editor Steph Harmon about her exclusive report

Just a few weeks ago, the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, was riding high after a successful World Cup. Now, he’s on the brink of losing his job. Infantino has apologised for his controversial plan to sell off the World Cup, but it’s done nothing to dampen the calls for his resignation. So why was the plan so despised, and is it one controversy too far for the man who once awarded Donald Trump a peace prize? Host Reged Ahmad speaks to sport reporter Jack Snape on whether this is the final whistle for Infantino

It’s been a long time since a woman led the Labor party. This term, Tanya Plibersek will become the longest serving woman of the House of Representatives in Australia. Plibersek has held senior cabinet and shadow cabinet roles since 2004, was deputy leader to Bill Shorten between 2013 and 2019, and is one of the most recognisable politicians in the country. But in the conversation of who is in line to be Labor’s next leader after Albanese, Plibersek barely registers, nor do any other women. And this is despite the party achieving gender parity in its caucus. Political reporter Krishani Dhanji speaks to Rafqa Touma on why it’s been a long time since a woman led the Labor party

Barrie Cassidy is back, and kicks off the episode by analysing the conflict in the Labor party over migration that led to the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, pulling out of his scheduled press club speech this week. Tony Barry delves into new Redbridge polling suggesting small gains for One Nation and the Coalition at a federal level. And as the conversation turns to Victorian politics, he surprises everyone – including himself – by defending a trade union leader. They also answer some listener questions, and Tony has his say on Jetstar’s new cabin luggage charges.

The criminal trial of veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has begun almost two years after he was arrested over multiple counts of indecent assault and sexual touching – charges he strongly denies. What did week one reveal about the prosecution’s case, and the way Jones treated his alleged teenage victim? Nour Haydar speaks to Guardian Australia’s media correspondent, Amanda Meade, to unpack opening statements and key evidence from the first week of the trial

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s weekly US politics podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Yerushalmy and Reged Ahmad take a look at how the Michigan Senate primaries could decide the future of the Democrats. This is a race that has revealed the civil war raging inside the party, as some seek to take it further to the left, with candidates such as Abdul El-Sayed. But will this schism be the Democrats’ Maga moment, or will it leave the party open to a Republican communist ‘red scare’ campaign that could cost them the midterms? They also look at why the Senate unanimously passed a resolution declaring its opposition to any presidential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein, as well as the next chapter in the reflecting pool saga and why Donald Trump said US attorney and Maga faithful Jeanine Pirro had ‘folded like an umbrella’

Despite most Australians supporting clean technology, the campaign against wind and solar infrastructure has proven to be effective, striking a chord with many of those living in remote and rural areas. So how do we bring everyone along on the transition to a renewable energy-focused future? And who’s putting up roadblocks? The Guardian’s environment and climate correspondent Graham Readfearn joins Reged Ahmad to unpack Australia’s relationship with renewables

The One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has repeatedly declared that he doesn’t ‘believe in multiculturalism’. But the reality on the ground in his New South Wales electorate of New England suggests otherwise. Joyce supported a campaign for the town of Armidale to become a refugee resettlement centre but, as a member of One Nation, his party advocates for a ‘monocultural’ Australia and for restricting migration to those who can speak English. Nour Haydar speaks to the Guardian’s community affairs reporter, Adeshola Ore, about what she learned on the ground from Armidale’s growing refugee community – and from an interview with Joyce himself